All The King's Men

All The King's Men-Chapter Ten

Amelia glanced up as her chamber door opened, and Micah entered followed by John. She sat at her vanity table while Megan placed her crown on top of her head, and fixed her hair around it. She wore a gown of pale purple velvet, with a long trailing skirt, and fluted sleeves. Her gold crown, and matching necklace and earrings were accentuated with amethyst stones. She slid an amethyst ring onto each hand.

Megan finished her ministrations, and Amelia gave her a smile. "Thank you, Meg, I should not need you or Agnes until this evening. Please enjoy yourselves at the festival."

Megan bowed a curtsy as did Agnes, then the two hurried out of the room.

Amelia slid her leather braces onto her wrists and buckled them. She had no intentions of using a bow this evening, but she felt more comfortable knowing she had the hidden daggers close. She stood, and turned to John, "Micah will escort me to the festival, John, please enjoy yourself this eve."

John bowed, and left the chamber, closing the door behind him.

Amelia turned to Micah, who stood with his feet braced apart, and his arms folded. She was surprised that she felt awkward standing in front of him. This is Micah, she told herself, my friend, my dearest friend. "It has been several days since you have come to the palace, and we have not had a chance to really speak."

He nodded, glancing away.

"Are you still angry with me?"

"I do not know that angry is the proper word." He answered, "We have known each other for many years, and yet, you believed I was capable of killing two women."

"You lied to me." She reminded him, "More than once."

"I did what I had to do to survive."

"You had everything you ever wanted." Amelia snapped, "Yet, you wanted more."

"Nay, Ame. You had everything you ever wanted, I had nothing. I saved the Princess, and went to a fancy castle, and still. I had nothing. I was shunned more than before. The Baroness..." He shook his head, "she hates me. I do not know why, I had never met the woman before we left for the Country."

"I do not know." Amelia answered. She studied him a moment. Would it ever be as it was before, she wondered. "Only ten mornings ago," she murmured, "We stood at the top of the water fall, and jumped. I trusted you with my life."

"You can still trust me, Ame."

She shook her head, "I do not believe I can trust anyone." She answered.

Micah opened the door, "Are you ready?"

Amelia nodded. She took his arm, and they started the long walk through the palace hallways. "I am sorry." She told him, "That you had a difficult time. I have been very selfish, not thinking of you, then and now."

"You are the Princess. You are not supposed to think of anyone else."

"That is not true. I am supposed to think of my people. You are one of my people."

Micah nodded, they reached the front doors of the palace which stood open to let in the cool evening air.

"I am happy that this festival has given the peasants a chance to eat." Amelia commented. She felt the need to fill the empty space between them with words. Why did things have to change? Why can we not be the close friends we have been since we were small?

They reached the palace gates which also stood open. They could see the colorful banners that lined the streets all the way to the town square. Merchants had set up their carts along the street, and tumblers mingled through the crowd.